Breeding adult

Breeding adult

Breeding adult

Rufous-chested Dotterel

Identification

A handsome, distinctive, and medium-sized plover that breeds on southern moorland and steppe, and migrates north to winter on beaches and coastal flats. Found mainly in pairs and small loose groups in summer, but migrant and winter flocks can be a few hundred birds. Adult is distinctive, with bold white eyebrow, and plain brown upperparts. Breeding birds have a bright rusty breast above a broad black band. Nonbreeding birds are duller with a muted breast pattern. Juvenile has buffy eyebrow and fine pale spangling above, but looks like adult by mid-winter.